Iverson Lands a $70.9-Million Deal With 76ers

Allen Iverson signed a $70.9-million, six-year contract extension with the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday that gave him much more than a raise.

Flashing a smile to team President Pat Croce, the enigmatic 23-year-old guard took on the pressure of becoming one of the top young stars in the NBA’s post-Jordan era.

“I want to win the most championships,” Iverson said. “And I want to be the best player.”

The job began as soon as Iverson finished signing his name. Iverson will get the maximum for a player entering his third season in the league, Croce said. He will get $9 million next season with annual raises of $1.1 million that add up to $14.6 million in the final year of the contract.

“I didn’t want to wait until the end of the year and then decide whether to play for a contender,” Iverson said in Philadelphia. “I never wanted to take the easy way out. I’ve been here through the bad times, I want to be here through the good.”

It is the largest contract guaranteed by the 76ers, hurtling Iverson past the likes of Julius Erving, Wilt Chamberlain, and Charles Barkley.

“There were no snags on our part,” Croce said. “I know Allen, and I know he’s a winner. I know he’s a good guy. That smile can break you down like his crossover [dribble].”

If Iverson had waited until July 1, he could have negotiated with any team for a seven-year contract worth more than $86 million. But he said he wants to stay a 76er, despite his past grievances with Coach Larry Brown.

“I just had to mature,” said Iverson, who averaged 22.0 points and 6.2 assists last season. “I realized that he was a great coach when I looked at his resume. It was important for me to put my pride aside and listen to what was said to me as a positive.”

*

Another young player who may be staying with his team is Vancouver forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim, who reportedly will sign a six-year, $71-million extension today.

Abdur-Rahim, who led the Grizzlies by averaging 22.3 points a game last season, would have had the opportunity to become a free agent at the end of this season.

*

Several people were hurt, none seriously, as spectators scrambling into a exhibition game at Toronto’s SkyDome shattered two stadium doors and ripped out a set of turnstiles.

Two fans were treated at SkyDome for cuts to their hands, a Toronto Raptors spokesman said.

In an effort to appease fans after the 204-day NBA lockout, the Raptors gave away 17,500 tickets in the stadium’s upper deck. Almost 14,000 showed up for the free seats to the Toronto-Boston game, won by the Celtics, 106-88.

“They just started pushing from behind when the doors opened,” said Jim Roe, director of event operations for Maple Leaf Sport and Entertainment. “We were overwhelmed and off-guard.”

Toronto police said they didn’t make any arrests.

*

Scottie Pippen had 15 points and 11 rebounds in his first game for the Houston Rockets in their 106-104 exhibition victory over the San Antonio Spurs at Houston. . . . Forward Chuck Person, 34, waived by the Chicago Bulls after they acquired him in a trade only four days earlier, signed with the Charlotte Hornets. . . . The Orlando Magic signed free-agent guard Doug Overton, 29, and re-signed free-agent guard Gerald Wilkins, 35.